Trying to convince my fiancé to go to the spa with me is usually a pretty hopeless undertaking, so imagine my absolute surprise and excitement when he actually suggested that we go to the spa together for a treatment.  That excitement might have decreased a little when he made it clear the "treatment" he wanted us to experience together was sitting in an infrared sauna...at least we would be sitting together in a spa...it was a start. Perhaps sitting in an infrared sauna, sweating for 40 minutes does not sound very appealing, especially given the fact that its been about 90 degrees everyday in Bali for the last two months and I feel like I sweat plenty on a daily basis.  Little did I know that the infrared sauna benefits are amazing and an very effective way to detox. Unlike traditional saunas, an infrared sauna heats through a process called conversion, which warms your body instead of the air around you.  Thus an infrared sauna produces three times the amount of sweat of a traditional sauna.  The more we sweat, the more toxins are removed.  An infrared sauna also increases blood circulation and metabolism, reduces joint stiffness and muscle pain, helps to boost the immune system, decrease cellulite and rejuvenate the skin.  Also unlike traditional saunas it is still easy to breathe in an infrared sauna so you leave feeling rejuvenated instead of drained. Sitting in an infrared sauna in hot and humid Bali was certainly not one of the spa treatments I would ever have imagined myself indulging in, but I can honestly say that I really did enjoy my 40 minutes in an infrared sauna.  I made sure I consumed a ton of water before, during and after my session.  I was actually rejuvenated after my 40 minutes in the infrared sauna, my skin looked great and I was told that a 40 minute session can burn 300-600 calories!  Looks like weekly infrared sauna sessions are now going to be a part of my wellness program! Have you tried this type of spa treatment? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

A few days ago I had the pleasure of experiencing yet another amazing spa treatment in Bali.  This time it was an absolutely sinful massage that included hot stones, cool slices of cucumbers and warm lavender towels at my beloved Amo Spa.  While the massage was absolutely incredible, what impressed me even more was the Full Body Dry Brushing pre-treatment that was was offered as an add-on to my massage.  I was completely unfamiliar with dry skin brushing, so of course I HAD to try it. The Full Body Dry Brushing treatment is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.  My entire body was brushed in circular motions with a dry brush for about thirty minutes and is something you can easily do at home, as well.  Unbeknownst to me dry brushing your skin has a ton of  benefits.  It aids in cellulite and stretch mark reduction, boosts metabolism, eliminates fat and toxins, stimulates circulation and the lymphatic system, and of course, it exfoliates. I am violently ticklish so at first the thought of having someone brush my skin seemed like voluntary torture, but the dry brushing was actually very soothing.  Thus far I've only had one dry brushing treatment so it's too soon to tell if it had reduced any stretch marks, cellulite or fat, but my skin was unmistakably smoother, softer and more luminous after the treatment.  I plan on acquiring a body brush of my own as soon as possible and make dry brushing a part of my regular beauty routine. Have you tried dry skin brushing? Has it made a difference in your skin? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

I traveled to Atlantic City to check out the amazing spa options as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars by Crowdtap #DoAC. All opinions, and fun, are my own.

When you think Atlantic City, casinos and gambling may be the first things that come to mind; but what about waterviews, the boardwalk, the beach, amazing restaurants, world class entertainment and my absolute favorite: the spas? Atlantic City is more than just a town to gamble in, and it's certainly a lot more safer than you think!

For my trip to Atlantic City, I stayed at the Borgata Casino & Spa. Don't mistake the Borgata to simply be a hotel and casino, as it is so much more. Honestly, it's like its own city. It is massive with upscale shops, outrageously delicious restaurants, cafes for a quick treat (Frappacino's at Starbucks and amazing display to delight your tastebuds at Sweets & Eats), an entertainment venue, two spas (Immersion Spa and Spa Toccare), nightclubs and The Water Club. You really have no reason to leave the Borgata with so much to do, BUT you should as Atlantic City has so much to offer. Their tagline, after all is, Do AC!

On a sidenote, I spent a good deal of money at Sweets & Eats in the Borgata. I mean look at these delectable treats!

Immersion Spa at Borgata Atlantic City:

It has been a crazy and intense month for me, so seeking an Ayurvedic spa treatment was a no brainer. Immersion Spa, which is located in The Water Club adjacent to the Borgata, has several Ayurvedic treatments to choose from. The spa staff have you complete a Constitutional Analysis prior to your treatment. This analysis is a questionaire about different aspects of you health, body and mind. The questions have three columns and 3 answers that best match you. The three columns are to determine which element you identify most with: Vata (Esther & Air), Pitta (Fire & Water) and Kapha (Water & Earth.)

I ended up being Pitta, which means I am knowledgable, headstrong, brave and friendly. I won't tell you the bad characteristics of someone who is Pitta because naturally my reacton is "that's not me." Ha!  Peggy (who did my spa treatment) took the information from the analysis to decide the type of oil to use during my treatment.

I chose the Shirodhara spa treatment, which begins with you face down as your shoulders, neck and upper back are massaged. After about 10 minutes, you turn over, face up. Most of the treatment is spent with a steady stream of warm oil slowly pouring from a bowl above your head. Your eyes are covered, as is your body and feet (which are wrapped in warm towels.) Tranquil music plays as the warm oil makes its way across your scalp and through your hair. I literally fell asleep and kept waking myself snoring! All I can tell you is that to get me relaxed to that point is a feat unto itself!

Once the oil treatment is done, the oil is then gently massaged into your hair and scalp soaking it with its nourishing and hydrating properties. Hair is then wrapped in a towel and your treatment is done. It is so soothing and relaxing. Be sure that you do not wear a "good" shirt into the spa if you are having this treatment, as your hair is literally dripping with oil. Once I removed the towel, I used one of the hair scrunchies that are available in the spa's changing area and put my hair up. The spa says it's best to leave the oil in your hair for as long as possible to allow your hair the ability to absorb the oil. This might be doable if you plan to use the steam room, whirlpool or just hang out at the pool (without actually taking a dip.) I had to head back to my room to get ready for dinner so I had to wash my hair right away.

Quick tip: Do not wet your hair when you get in the shower. Instead apply shampoo first and lather. Let it sit in your hair for about a minute and then rinse. Avoid using a conditioner until the next shower. I had to do this about 3 times before my hair was no longer slick. While it was still a bit weighty, it looked like I had flat ironed my hair that night. My hair was so smooth and frizz free.

Immersion Spa has treatment rooms that are dark with low light and they also have treatment rooms facing the Atlantic City skyline and ocean with floor to ceiling windows. My treatment was in the dark room, but I think next time I'd like to experience a massage while staring out at the ocean.

Immersion Spa is a two-story spa located on the 32nd floor of The Water Club. Here, you'll find 360 degrees of floor-to-ceiling water views, a fitness center and a lap pool that overlooks Atlantic City. It is simply breathtaking. They have a great spa boutique and I came across brands I knew, as well as some I didn't. To be honest, I'd love to see my brand sitting on those shelves one day.

One of the restaurants that I visited during my stay was Dos Caminos, which is located at Harrah's Resort. I do love Mexican food, but believe it or not, I've never eaten guacamole. With the guacamole being handmade right at our table, I couldn't say no! (And it was AMAZING!)

I don't gamble, but I did enjoy learning how to play Craps at Resorts Casino, the oldest casino in Atlantic City. Although, I'm still confused about how to win, I think I did a pretty good job for a beginner! I had a lot of fun learning and the team there were great.

Resorts Casino is located on the Boardwalk, where you'll also find Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (I heard he played a free concert there recently) and Landshark Bar & Grill which is located across from Resort Casino directly on the beach. I had lunch at Landshark and I'd like this to be my view every.single.day.

Of course, a stroll on the beach was in order as well. I loved that the beach was not overcrowded at all and quite family-friendly. Atlantic City beaches are clean and so close to the fun on the Boardwalk.

While on this trip I was paired with two bloggers, who I had so much fun with! Kelly from www.KellyAugustine.com - check out her blog to learn more about the fashion in Atlantic City; and Lyuba from www.WillCookForSmiles.com - she's covering all of the amazing food in Atlantic City.

I enjoyed Atlantic City so much that I'm thinking a spa hop throughout the city may be in order. I heard they also have some PGA golf courses closeby that my husband would love. So as you can see, there's something for everyone in Atlantic City!

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Nothing says complete and utter relaxation to me quite like indulging in a massage, especially a 75 minute long massage, followed by total body exfoliation, body mask and a luxuriating soak in a warm flower-filled bath.  This is how I spent two hours at a spa in Bali thanks to the suggestion of a woman I was lucky enough to share a taxi ride with.  As soon as I got out of the taxi I knew where I was headed to next: Bodyworks spa in Seminyak, Bali.

Bodyworks has been in business in Bali for over 15 years and they always seem to be insanely busy.  The Bodyworks Spa Menu includes a wide variety of services ranging from traditional Balinese massage to  facials, nail care, hair removal and hair treatments.  Pretty much everything on the Bodyworks Spa Menu looked pretty enticing, but none as much as the Exfoliation Massage, otherwise known as the Mandi Lulur, and this treatment was everything I had expected and more. The treatment began with a deliciously relaxing 75 minute massage, after which my entire body was covered with a grown granular paste (the traditional Javanese lulur.)  The paste is made up of turmeric, sandalwood, cinnamon, ground nuts and rice.  After letting the paste dry on my skin for a few minutes it was gently rubbed off to exfoliate my skin.  My skin was then rinsed off and cooling fresh yogurt was applied to my entire body; including my face.  I was told that the yogurt contains enzymes that stimulates cell activity and restores the pH balance of my skin.  After letting the yogurt mask sit for a few minutes, my skin was again rinsed after which I was led to a bath tub filled with flower petals in which I soaked for the last 10-15 minutes of my treatment. I emerged from this treatment utterly relaxed with smooth, soft, glowing skin.  I have tried a lot of spa services and I can honestly say that this is one of the best, most indulgent spa services I have ever received and it was only about $45 US dollars! Bodyworks is a definite "must" if you happen to find yourself in Bali. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Something I've learned in my 8+ years of beauty blogging, is that many brands like to say they are something without any proof to back it.

Brands say they are natural, but the ingredient label tells a different story. Brands say they are organic because they assume you won't know that sometimes natural doesn't necessarily also mean organic.

Brands also say they are cruelty free knowing that there may not really be a way for you to know one way or another.

When I launched the A Girl's Gotta Spa! bath and body line, I wanted to make sure you knew who we were and not have to guess.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! is a natural beauty brand. Our product pages clearly state how natural our products are so that you don't have to wonder. We are also transparent about our ingredients and have a page dedicated to telling you, in detail, what our products contain.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! products are vegan. Our initial products are vegan and it is our goal to try to keep future products vegan as well. If we can't for some reason or another (such as with a lip balm), the product page will clearly tell you so.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! does not test on animals, our ingredient suppliers do not test on animals and our manufacturer does not test on animals. While we do review all kinds of products on our beauty blog (and that may be confusing to some), I did not want to be the brand who tested on animals.

We now can officially back up this claim with our Leaping Bunny certification. You can find us listed in their Cruelty Free Consumer Shopping Guide. Our mission at A Girl's Gotta Spa! is to empower women to believe - You Deserve to Be Pampered - and we do this without harming any animals, without toxic ingredients and without harming the earth.

I hope you love our products as much as we do. If you have questions, please leave a comment or contact us. 

It may sound silly, but even though I don't drink, those Corona commercials snag my attention every time.

Sounds of the ocean, the sense of relaxation and the refreshing lime placed perfectly in the bottle neck. It's that lime that calls out to me saying, "Let me quench your thirst."

The same could be said for lime in beauty products, because it has so many benefits.

Lime essential oil is a natural astringent and clears oily skin, so it is perfect for acne prone skin. When used in body care, such as A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash, Body Lotion and Salt Scrub - be sure to use it where dirt and grime tend to build up the most, such as your back or chest.

Sometimes the most obvious place to use it (your back) is often overlooked in the shower since you are already rinsing off with water or the shampoo trailing down your back. Plus, backs and chests need to be moisturized too!

The fragrance of lime when applied topically also revitalizes the senses and plays a part in mood. It creates clarity and mental focus.

And the same goes for the other citrus essential oils in A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus: grapefruit, lemon and orange. Lime, in addition to these other oils, are known to be uplifting. In a word, the fragrance is simply happy. (Que Pharrell here.)

As with any citrus oil, they do cause photosensitivity, so be sure to wear a good broad spectrum sunscreen when heading outdoors (which you should be doing as part of your anti-aging and skin cancer prevention regimen anyway!)

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. 

Up on Huckleberry Mountain lies an enchanting stone chateau with 20 miles of magnificent views of the northern Pocono mountains. Whether your view is of the prominent snowcapped peaks in the winter, the lush greenery in the Spring and Summer, or the spectacular colors of the Fall foilage, you are guaranteed something breathtaking even before stepping foot inside The French Manor Inn and Spa.

If you long for a peaceful hideaway that is elegant, a place to simply retreat to whether you are local to the Poconos or are venturing in from out of state, you won’t be disappointed with what The French Manor has to offer. I’m blessed to live local to The French Manor, and having been previously to their Le Spa Foret for a Spa Pedicure, I know that the team here is top notch. Prior to your spa treatment, and on this day it was a Therapeutic Relaxation Massage for me, you are greeted with small, brown, glass bottles of essential oils. Every spa treatment at Le Spa Foret is completely customized to your needs and only with natural or organic products. In dire need of a floral fragrance, I chose Soft Beauty which contains jasmine and smells heavenly. The Therapeutic Relaxation Massage is a Swedish-style massage that promotes relaxation using long strokes and kneading of the superficial muscles. It was much needed, as the launch of my natural body care line has kept me at my desk long hours and feeling exhausted.

Robin immediately picked up on the tension in my neck and upper back and kept much of her focus there. While I don’t typically chat too much during a massage, I found that Robin and I actually had a lot in common, so I didn’t mind the great conversation while her hands worked magic on helping to relieve the pain I was feeling in my muscles and the absolute need to relax my mind.

It’s worth noting that if you love huckleberries (as I discovered I do after my trip to Idaho’s Spa Ssakwa’q'n), The French Manor offers a huckleberry candle in their spa boutique. My advice? Buy one. The sweet scent has filled my office daily and is such a pleasing fragrance.

To learn more about The French Manor Inn and Spa, visit thefrenchmanor.com. If you found this spa treatment review helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it!

Disclosure: Spa treatment comped for review.

This is the story of how A Girl's Gotta Spa!, launched in 2005 as a beauty blog, evolved in 2014 as a beauty and wellness brand. Your personal well-being should be a priority.

Being part Italian, olive oil was always a staple growing up in my childhood home. As a child, I never knew the health benefits my parents and grandparents were passing on to me, all I knew is that it added delicious flavor to my food.

Once I began to work in beauty, I was mesmerized by all of its benefits to skin, as well. Olive fruit oil is high in Vitamin E, which we all know is fantastic for its anti-aging properties. It's high in oleic acid and is a good skin cell regenerator. It works to attract external moisture to the skin, while still permitting the skin to properly release sweat, shed dead skin and release sebum.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants like Vitamin E, but also includes vitamin A, polyphenols, phytosterols and avenasterol. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals and combat environmental pollutants and aggressors that we all deal with daily.

These antioxidants have the natural ability to stimulate cells and return skin to a firmer, smoother, and healthier state. In order to craft the best lotion for dry skin, olive oil is one of the main ingredients in A Girl's Gotta Spa! ® Body Lotions. This natural moisturizer will keep your skin hydrated and nourished. I've long been using soaps, lotions and body washes with olive oil and have seen for myself the profound affect it can have to keep skin healthy. If you use skin or body care products with olive oil, rest assured, you will kiss dry, itchy skin goodbye! 

I first became acquainted with hot yoga 2-3 years ago, but did not begin a regular practice until last Spring. I have been absolutely hooked ever since. I've noticed that practicing hot yoga regularly has made me less stressed, increased my strength and flexibility, more toned, more energized and quite a few of my family members swear that I look taller. Did I also mention that my skin is usually supple and glowing after practicing? (Must be from sweating out those toxins!) I know that hot yoga might not be to everyone's liking, but I absolutely love it and am grateful for the positive impact it has had on me. If you have been considering giving hot yoga a try this year, here are a few benefits that may propel you into your nearest hot yoga studio ASAP!

• Hot yoga helps to reduce stress; it increases blood circulation which stimulates the heart to strengthen its contractions, which is exercise for the heart muscle itself. As a result, the heart pumps efficiently thereby lowering blood pressure.
• Hot yoga also improves flexibility and strength. The heat aids in detoxification, increases blood flow to speed up metabolic processes of vital organs, glands, and mobilizing toxins for elimination.
• The heat of hot yoga (105 degrees with 40% humidity) also stimulates fat receptors, activating fat stores and facilitating fat loss and releasing these fat-soluble toxins. Additional responses of the heat include the stimulation of white blood cell production, boosting the immune system, promoting relaxation, and an increase in healing injuries and disease symptoms.

Overall, the body’s response to heat strengthens, detoxifies, and heals, which in turn creates a sense of health and well-being.  I usually feel pretty euphoric after my practice; mostly because of all the amazing benefits that I experience because of my practice, but also probably because I got through my 60-90 minutes class without sprinting for the door.  I will admit that it took me a while to get used to the heat and every once in a while it still gets to me, especially if I am not hydrated enough (an easy fix.)  Hot yoga has actually motivated me to drink enough water throughout the day. Like I said, perhaps hot yoga will not be to your liking, but you won't know until you give it a try! I'd love to hear about your experience with hot yoga, leave a comment! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!